Aditi 
If you are like me, dear reader, then the chances are you’ve had a cup of coffee before you were able to function civilly this morning. That first hit of caffeine is a blessing every single morning, and today, we have more reason to celebrate since it’s International Coffee Day! Read on to remember the health benefits of coffee, and learn about coffee across the world. Also, you get some fun new recipes!
Coffee and Your Health:
While coffee is really popular across the world, it’s also good for your health! It has high levels of antioxidants, lowers your risk of many serious diseases and has several nutritional values as well.
We know that a cup o’ Joe can ward off the sleepies (and munchies), but did you know that it also lowers your risk of strokes, heart diseases, diabetes and Parkinsons? It can mean good news for your liver, too, by protecting it against cirrhosis.
It’s a good source of Vitamin B2, B3 and B5, as well as potassium and manganese. This beverage of the Gods can kick up your concentration and improve your mood – making coffee-lovers across the world wave their mugs in the air together in celebration!
Coffee Across the World
North America
Type of beans grown widely: Arabica
Coffee You Should Try: Red Eye Coffee.
A double coffee – brewed coffee with a layer of espresso on top. Do you need to make that 10 am deadline? Here’s your drink!
How To Make: Make espresso and brew coffee at the same time. First, pour the brewed coffee into a cup/glass. Then, add the espresso on top. Serve or drink while hot.
Difficulty: Basic
What you need: Espresso Machine
South America
Type of beans grown widely: Arabica & Robusta
Coffee You Should Try: Cortado.
Looking for something a little less potent than an espresso, but with little less foam than an Italian coffee? Here’s a new South American drink to obsess over.
How To Make: Get two shots of espresso from your machine. Then, steam milk and add it slowly to the espresso in a 1:1 ratio. Want a variation? Add condensed milk for a cortado bombon or a leche y leche (condensed milk + cream on top)
Difficulty: Basic
What you need: Espresso Machine
Asia
Type of beans grown widely: Arabica, Robusta, Liberica and Excelsa
Coffee You Should Try: Kopi Jahe.
Love espresso, but also love spice? Combine the two in this brilliant Indonesian spiced ginger coffee.
How To Make: Dry roast cloves and cinnamon until fragrant. Add water to the pan and bring to a boil. Then, add fresh rounds of ginger to the water. Boil for 5 minutes. Add coffee powder and sugar, stir well. Boil for 2 more minutes and then serve.
Difficulty: Basic
What you need: Coffee Powder, Cloves, Cinnamon & Ginger
Africa
Type of beans grown widely: Robusta, Liberica
Coffee You Should Try: Cafe Touba.
Spice lovers, here’s yet another heady brew for you to enjoy. While you might not be able to get your hands on Selim peppers here, black pepper will work as an alternative.
How To Make: Add peppercorns and cloves in water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer so that the flavours get infused. Once done, sieve and set aside. In a coffee mug, add 1 shot of espresso, 1 cup frothed milk to 2 tbsp of pepper-clove syrup and enjoy hot.
Difficulty: Intermediate
What you need: Espresso machine, milk frother, pepper and cloves
Australia
Type of beans grown widely: Arabica
Coffee You Should Try: Long Black Coffee.
If cappuccinos are your thing, then go for a flat white. But if you swear by espressos, then you’ll love the long black!
How To Make: Fill a coffee cup 3/4 full of hot water. Just add a double shot of espresso directly into the cup and enjoy.
Difficulty: Basic
What you need: Espresso Machine
Europe
Type of beans grown widely: Arabica. They are grown mainly in the Canary Islands, which is the northernmost coffee plantation in the world.
Coffee You Should Try: Caife Gaelach.
Yes, we know the Italians have perfected coffee, and what they didn’t think of, the Spaniards did. But hey, when you want to doctor your coffee, Irish is the way to go! So if you want a coffee cocktail, get brewing.
How To Make: Preheat a whiskey glass or a tall glass with boiling water. Add brown sugar to the bottom, and then fill 90% of the glass with strong black coffee and stir until the sugar dissolves. To this, add a shot (or two!) of Irish whiskey and stir gently. Finally, warm a teaspoon and pour whipped cream on the top of the glass over the spoon, gently raising it. This ensures the cream floats. Do not stir, and serve right away.
Difficulty: Intermediate (Beginner until you get to the cream!)
What you need: Espresso machine
Antarctica
You wouldn’t think it, but you can get coffee even in Antarctica. Coffee House at McMurdo station in Antarctica helps scientists and visitors to the station to get their caffeine fix. While dry milk is the general staple to make steaming hot coffee, a spot of Amaretto, Baileys, or whiskey can also help warm up cold visitors to this cafe.
If you love hosting coffee mornings and brunches, here are some must-haves for your kitchen – a coffee gift set for special guests, a clever mug for someone who loves coffee and books and a to-go insulated coffee flask.
And if you are sure you know your coffees, try this quiz and let us know how you fare!
